2014

Not my image, credited to Julie Tillery from Facebook

Personally, the last 2 years have been very hard. I was glad to see 2012 come to an end because we had been through so much with my DS2's illness, which changed my (our) world.  I had high hopes for 2013...hopes don't always bring results.  2013 has probably been my worst year thus far, and by now I have had a few to compare it to.

2013 saw me, for a time, have a crisis of faith which haunts me. I literally looked at my life, the devastation and destruction in it, and  I witnessed the person I thought was the strongest Christian I knew walk away from his faith, so in anger I said, "If this is what being on God's team brings, I don't want to play anymore!"   I was selfish and wanted to take MY toys and go home.  It was wrong, I sinned - there is NO excuse. I walked blindly through life for a while, without His light.  I know He was still there watching over me, but I was stumbling, falling and crawling on skinned knees without him. But like a child, I have come seeking the direction and hand of my Father and feeling His forgiveness.  The difference is, I feel like a baby now...having to learn to walk, talk and do most everything.  I am a baby in Christ right now, learning to pray, to seek His Word, to try to stay within his Will in Everything.  The above image is not my own, I saw it on Facebook and it spoke to me about the coming year....2014.  I am going to trust Him and His plan...knowing it is wonderful, knowing He thinks I am beautiful when others don't, knowing He loves me when others don't, knowing He cares what happens when others don't.  I am seeking His in 2014.

I know there will be pain in 2014 and in all honesty, I am struggling mightily with temptation as I enter this new year.  I am struggling against myself a great deal and fear is a constant battle.  But, I am determined to keep trying, to keep seeking my Savior. 

May you experience blessings and joy in 2014.

2013 Coming to a blessed end!

I have finally found some direction and plan on coming back to Southern Somedays and I hope you will join me on my journey to grow my faith and learn more about what God has planned for me.  2013 brought the darkest season of my life, but I am determined not to let "anyone dull my sparkle!"  God has been faithful when I have been faithless.

If you have read Southern Somedays for any time you will see much more of my faith on display because the only reasoning I can understand for my recent season of life is that God is trying to teach me and maybe, just maybe, I am meant to share that with others in pain. 

Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.

~Psalm 115:1

Good Bye!

Dear Faithful Readers,

I must no longer put off the decision to stop blogging.  It has been a good run (7 years, I think) and I have met some wonderful souls through blogland which I am so grateful for.  I hope that you all know how much joy your comments and emails meant to me through the years as I muddled my way through blogging.  Wishing only the best for you....

Settling in...

The month of July has flown by!!!  I have been busy unpacking (still not finished) and doing all the stuff you do when trying to settle in a new house and town. 

As much as I was apprehensive about our move to Edenton, NC, it has been really nice.  I am stunned daily by how beautiful it is here and quiet...and peaceful.  Yes, I do miss the convenience of things being "right down the street" but I can see how people fall in love with this little town.  I am looking forward to finally getting unpacked and settling in a rocking chair on my front porch with a glass of iced tea and a good book!

Though there are lots of "to dos" on my list we have still managed to explore the local movie theater (which is on main street, downtown, and only has 2 screens but you can still write a check there!) We have also gone to several college summer league baseball games, eaten at some really good restaurants and spent time on the water. DH and I also managed one impromptu date night with a picnic on the bay.  My youngest has been learning to sail and I think he is pretty hooked.  My oldest son can usually be found at the golf course and both boys seem to be meeting and making friends which is an answer to lots of prayer! 

So, all in all our move is working out well.  I can't tell you how nice it is to have my DH with us full time and to have time to do things together as a family again! 

This is a view from our date night picnic.

DS2 heading out for sailing lessons.

Grape Salad with a twist!

I know everyone has their own Grape Salad recipe but a few weeks ago I found this one and had to give it a try as it replaces the pecans with crumbled Heath candy bars!  It is so yummy and we can pretend it is healthy because it has fruit in it...right?

Grape Salad Heath Bar Style
1 bunch seedless green grapes
1 bunch seedless red grapes
1 jar marshmallow fluff
1 block (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
4 Heath Bars (crumbled)

Wash and dry the grapes, set aside.  In a large mixing bowl mix marshmallow fluff and cream cheese (I spray my hand-mixer blades with no stick spray before this to make clean up easier.)  Add in 1/2 the crumbled Heath Bars and stir well.  Add in grapes and stir gently to coat.  Top with crumbled Heath Bars.  Enjoy!

4th of July in Edenton, NC

I am really sad that tonight is Sunday night and a "real" Monday will creep in tomorrow.  DH has been on vacation for the last 10 days (yes, count them!!!) and he has to go back to work tomorrow and I will miss him.  I am also sad to see the week come to end as we had a wonderful visit from some dear friends.  They arrived the day before the 4th  and the last few days have been a whirlwind of fun!!!

Our first 4th of July in Edenton was a blast!  It was truly an all American day celebrated in bright red, white & blue.  We spent the afternoon by the water, eating, visiting and listening to music. Just like everything else in this little town, it was picture perfect.

 While much of the South missed the traditional fireworks shows due to lots of rain, we were fortunate to see a great show over the Sound!  It was the perfect ending to a perfect 4th of July!

Something is crazy wrong with my blog! Help! (fixed now!!!)

I have a ton of news to share and when I sat down and popped onto the blog I saw all kinds of "photobucket" buttons where graphics should be.  I didn't make this change....anyone have any ideas what is going on?

UPDATE: I contacted Designer Blogs, who did such a fantastic job on the facelift of my blog a few months ago, and within 24 hours Erin had everything fixed and taken care of!  I was really impressed with how quickly the response was and I actually like things better than before. 

We made it!

The boxes are unloaded and ready to be unpacked but we have  been playing and enjoying being together so I think they can wait a bit longer. I am going to leave you with a lovely photo of  the sun setting over the Sound and some sweet Southern words by "The Mississippi Magnolia", Patricia Neely-Dorsey.

Photo property of Groves & Groves Photography, Edenton, NC

SOUTHERN LIFE

If you want a glimpse of Southern life,
Come close and walk with me;
I’ll tell you all the simple things,
That you are sure to see.
You’ll see mockingbirds and bumblebees,
Magnolia blossoms and dogwood trees;
Caterpillars on the step,
Wooden porches cleanly swept;
Watermelons on the vine,

Strong majestic Georgia pines

Rocking chairs and front yard swings

June-bugs flying on a string

Turnip greens and hot cornbread,
Coleslaw and barbecue
Fried okra, fried corn,fried green tomatoes,
Fried pies and pickles too.
There’s ice cold tea that ‘s syrupy sweet,
And cool, green grass beneath your feet;
Catfish nipping in the lake,
And fresh young boys on the make.
You’ll see all these things
And much, much more,
In a way of life, that I adore.

Copyright 2008 Patricia Neely-Dorsey

For other beautiful photos in and around Edenton please visit Groves & Groves Photography

Today is the Day!

Everything is packed and the loading crew is here stuffing it all into the back of a big truck.  We are saying good bye to Florence, South Carolina today...3 years to the day of our arrival.  How weird is that?  So many friends have been popping in and out the last couple of days and I think our good byes have all been said.  It is time.  It is time for the new adventure.

I wonder what this new season will bring.

Starting Out Southern

Starting Out Southern

I am going to take a moment to do a little Mommy Bragging!  My sweet baby girl (well, not baby really but you know what I mean) has started a new blog to share what she is experiencing as a new college graduate, working her first job, decorating her first home, getting her first puppy and all the other fun firsts coming her way!  I hope you will pop over and see what a GREAT job she has done on her first apartment.  She is a talented DIYer and totally gets working on a budget!!!  Starting Out Southern

Father's Day 2013

Father's Day 2013 hasn't been a traditional celebration.  I didn't cook a special meal.  We didn't even go out for lunch after church or anything.  Because we are in the final days before our move, we spent the majority of the day after church tying up loose ends before our movers arrive tomorrow to pack. My Dh got to do glamorous  things like loading his truck down with all kinds of things that the movers won't move and he also gets the wonderful task of transporting our 2 cats during his 4 hour drive back to Edenton today.  Yes, I know that makes me out to be wife of the year...

But, I can't let the day go by without shouting out how much I love him and how proud I am to be his wife and what a GREAT Daddy he is.  The past few months haven't been easy and he has had to make some decisions that were difficult, but he made the choices he thought were best for our family and I love him for that.  He is a husband and father that demonstrates servant-leadership daily.  He is kind and strong and we are so blessed by him every single day.  Happy Father's Day, my dear sweet husband!!!!

In other news, we had a final Sunday with our church family which was  bitter sweet because it is never easy to say goodbye to family, but we are so glad to have these people in our lives...if only for too short a season.  So, all in all, we are ready to move though we will never forget the sweet friends we have in Florence, South Carolina!  Keep checking back as I share our adventures in our new home, Edenton, North Carolina!

Update on the Little Man

Some of you have sent me messages asking about how my DS2 is doing.  He is doing really great!  Today we spent the afternoon at MUSC to get the results of his recent sleep study and extended EEG montage.  This comes after a visit and EEG in April that didn’t bring the news we had hoped for.   Unfortunately, his April EEG still showed abnormal activity and the risk of seizures has kept us on the diet.  After his initial disappointment he has managed to have a pretty good attitude about the limitations it continues to place on his life.  He does so much better than I would.  He has will power of steel!  

Fortunately, today the results did not show any abnormal sleep patterns and NO sign of seizure activity during sleep.  WhooHOOO!  It was such huge relief to find out there are no additional issues; and at this point we don’t have to add medications on top of the diet. 

DS2 just finished 5^th grade with wonderful grades and a Presidential fitness award. He also recently played the part of Sebastian in a local Children’s Theatre Production of A Little Mermaid. He is busy this week at a musical theatre day camp and will be spending his summer learning to sail once we get moved.  We are blessed and I am so proud of this little man and how hard he works to not allow his medical issues to hold him back. 

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. 
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. 
Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! 
He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. 
~Psalm 127:3-5

Leaving her...

I have gone silent again on this blog, which I have come to realize means one of two things: either I am crazy busy with life in general or I am feeling a bit emotionally raw.  The last couple of weeks I have had both of those covered in full.  Two weeks ago we loaded up a U haul to the gills and moved our daughter to the Atlanta area.  I should say back to the Atlanta area because it is where we lived before moving here right after she graduated high school.  She is now a college graduate and has started her first real job.  I am so proud of her and her choices and admire her courage in taking on the world.  She is working in a job she feels passionate about and seems custom made for her...as if her whole life has prepared her for such a time as this.  She has her own apartment which she has decorated and it looks like something out of a magazine (and did it all on a very tight budget!)  She is looking for a little fuzzy room-mate now to keep her company and things are good for her....really good.   

But leaving her there, even knowing she was safe and happy, was one of the very hardest things I have ever had to do.  When our move is complete, week after next, we will be 8 hours away from her and that kills me.  I know others have children scattered throughout the world and 8 hours seems like nothing so I probably shouldn't complain....but it was like leaving the best part of me when I drove away.  She and I are like 2 sides of the same coin and I feel just a bit lost without her.  

It was hard when we left her at college the first time but I knew she would be home in a week or two...but this time I don't know when I will see her next.  I know she is too far for me to hop in the car and meet her halfway for lunch, or make a hasty trip when something unexpected happens, or to share in the little things that happen day to day.  I know she is surrounded by people who care about her and will take good care of her if she needs anything....but I am not there...and it hurts.  I am not sure who it hurts more...me or her.  

Of course, we still talk for long periods of the day on the phone and text continually but knowing there are going to be 2 states between us just fills me with anxiety.  We still keep the cell lines popping with photos of things we see during the day and I am learning to reuse the United States Postal Service as well...but....

What have you read lately? The Union Street Bakery by Mary Ellen Taylor

A few weeks ago (well, probably a couple of months ago, if I am being honest...) I was contacted by a publisher and asked to review a newly released book.  It has been a while since I have done a book review so I thought, "Hey, no problem!" and apparently that thought alerted the folks over at Murphy's that I was in need of a revisit from his "Law".  So, I received the book and lots of great information about the author, Mary Ellen Taylor, and then it seemed I got crazy busy and life was trying to drown me (I do believe that!)

When I finally got around to reading the book, which was titled The Union Street Bakery, I was totally drawn in!  The main Character, Daisy McCrae, just grabbed me with her continual almost ready to hyperventilate season of life because, in all honesty, I think I was in the same state....though for much different reasons!

I love the interplay between Daisy, her sisters (she is actually an adopted sister) and her parents.  It is funny, irritating,  and at times painful but wonderful, and anyone who has ever lived in a family can relate!  This book does have many issues that will hit close to home with adoptees and adoptive families but I think it also brings about a clarity concerning the bond that comes between a true parent and their child (regardless of whether that relationship is born out of a physical birth or an emotional one.)  Daisy finds herself in a season filled with unexpected loss, fear, and insecurity that opens up her heart to how much she truly has and gives her a peace about who she is that has always alluded her.  The Union Street Bakery, is a wonderful read filled with memorable characters, history and left me always craving a cupcake!  I look forward to reading more from Mary Ellen Taylor and would love to learn more about the characters in The Union Street bakery in subsequent novels!

Georgia Southern University, Class of 2013

Just a short 13 days after getting engaged, my DD graduated from Georgia Southern University with her Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Public Relations, Cum Laude!  To say it has been a busy few weeks would be an understatement!

I am so proud of this sweet girl and really overwhelmed that we are at this fork in the road.  She is really grown up now.  How did it go so fast?

Here is where my blog post is going to veer to "Mama Bragging" so be warned!  My sweet girl managed to get her degree in only 3 years, with honors, all the while being active in Phi Mu, other campus activities and working!  The schedule she keeps always amazes me and how she thrived at GSU was such a huge blessing.  I want to be her when I grow up!!!!

It has been so much fun being able to "extend" my sorority experience through her!

This week, we are busy getting ready to move her to Atlanta to start her 1st "big girl" job in June.  She is so excited about all the opportunities and memories that are to be made in the coming season and I couldn't be happier for her!

She Said, "Yes!"

So, I decide to start blogging again and then all of the sudden there seems to be a whole lot of things going on!  Now, it isn't that I don't have anything to write about, rather it seems I am having a hard time finding time to write about them!

On Sunday, April 28th, my daughter's young man took her to the beach for dinner and proposed!  It was a sweet proposal at the top of a Ferris Wheel and she was completely surprised!  Here is a link to her blog and her account of the day I said Yes! They have been dating a year and a half.  I am so happy for them and can't wait to start planning a wedding because she has dreamed about this her entire life.

We were blessed that our soon to be son-in-love invited us to hide out until after he popped the question so we could take photos! 

Playing Catch Up - Easter 2013

Since I did not blog about Easter, I wanted to share some photos from the day.  Notice my sweet girl is absent from the photos as she was away visiting her now fiancee's family.